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Alert neighbor stops thieves before burglary

Crooks tried to break into an older woman’s home in Maiden on Saturday morning, but an alert neighbor tipped off police before they could finish the job.

Maiden police arrested one man and are looking for another after the two men attempted to break into the woman’s home on Triplett Farm Road.

Police said the men tried to break into the residence around 6:35 a.m. Saturday but did not gain entry.

When the men returned to their car outside the house, a neighbor called police and reported the suspicious activity, police said.

Upon arrival, Maiden Police Officer Ptl. Stikeleather located a small gold-colored vehicle with two white men inside.

The driver, Boyce Dean Travis Jr., 34, of Maiden, immediately left the vehicle. Stikeleather was able to detain the passenger, Brandon Lee Yarborough, 18, of Newton, said Maiden Police Chief Tracy Ledford.

At the scene, officers found burglary items, including crowbars, screwdrivers and flashlights.

Officers also found the telephone line to the residence cut, and the back door of the house showed “fresh marks from pry tools,” according to a press release from police.

The homeowner, whose name was not released, didn’t know the burglars and was not awakened by the incident, authorities said. Ledford said the attempted break-in is unusual for the residential community.

“We want to credit the awareness of the caller that took it upon themselves to call law enforcement,” Ledford said. “They made the phone call that got our guys in route to go.”

Yarborough was arrested for attempted first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglary tools. He is being held in the Catawba County Detention Center on a $30,000 secured bond.

Authorities are still looking for Travis, who is also charged with attempted first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Travis is asked to call the Maiden Police Department at 828-428-5005.